Electric heater



Jan. 31, 1928. 1,657,932

P. KUKEC ELECTRIC HEATER Filed July 12, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l I 71 z'erztor Pau/Z Koo/W ygmm Jan. 31, 1928.

P. KUKEC ELECTRIC HEATER Filed July 12, 1927 3 Sheets$heet 2 Inventor Paul ffwirec Jan. 31, 1928.

P. KUKEC ELECTR I C HEATER Filed July 12, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 through the heater Jan. 31,

UNITED STATES PATENT @l? C PAUL KUKEC, O35 CHEGAGO, ILLIITOIS.

ELECTRIC HEATER.

Application filed July 152,

The present invention relates to improvements in electric heaters, and has tor its principal object to provide a simple and etlicient device for supplying heat and includes a structure which may be readily and easily installed in a boiler for heating the water therein to generate steam.

Oneof the important objects of the present invention is to provide an electric heater of the above mentioned character which includes the provision of spaced positive and negative filament plates which are submerged in the water the latter passing in a circuitous manner around the plates and providing an electrical connection between the positive and negative plates with an invisible i'lare ray, which reproduces the heat to be used in generating the steam in the boiler.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an electric heater wherein gypsum may be employed as an electrical conducting agent between the positive and negative filament plates for completing the circuit, the gypsum being subjected to the water whereby its electrical conductive properties will be greatly increased.

A still further obgect is to provide an electric heater of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

ther objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings:

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, and in which like numerals indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of tlie electric heater showing the same submerged in the water in a boiler, the latter being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 isan end elevation. of the heater per so. Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view V show ng the construction and arrangement of the positive and negative plates, and the manner in which the same are mounted in the channels formed in the fire clay base, parts being broken away.

1927. Serial No. 205,153.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure l look- ;ng in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the base forming a part of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side elevation or" another form of the electric heater.

l-Tigure 8 is a top plan view of one end portion of the heater shown in Figures 7 and 9, and for more clearly disclosing the connecting member between the spaced plates, and

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Figure '7.

in the drawin s, with reference more particularly to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the numeral 1 designates generally the electric heater, the comprising a substantially rectangular shaped base 2 formed of lire clay or other n0n-conductive material. This base is adapted to rest on the bottom of a boiler A. The base is formed with a serie o1 longitudinally extending channels in the upper face thereof as indicated by the numerals 3 and l, respectively.

The channels 3 do not extend downwardly as deep as the channels l and this construction is clearly disclosed in Figures and 6 of the drawings. The purpose of this construction will be presently apparent. Each channel is lined with gypsum as indicated A pair 01" metallic blocks such as is shown at 6 is arranged in each of the channels 3 adjacent the respective ends thereof, a similar pair of blocks 7 being arranged in the intermediate portions of the deeper channels d as also clearly illustrated in Figure 6.

arranged vertically in the channels 3 are the positive filament plates 8, the lower edges of which plates are cut out attheir respective ends as illustrated at 9 with reference more particularly to Figure 5 so that the lower edge portion of each positive filament plate will be disposed between the metallic blocks 6 thus preventing the longitudinal slidable movement of the positiv plates with respect to the fire base 2.

A similar series of negative filament plates 10 have their lower edge portions dis; in the deeper channels l and it will be read ily obvious that the intermediate portion. of the lower edge of each of the negative lilanient plates is cut out in order to accommodate the intermediate blocks 7-so that said negative filamentpla-tes will also be held in proper position on the base again-st longitudinal slidable movement.

The positive, as well as the negative lilament plates may consist of either a single brass plate of suitable thickness or may comprise a series of relatively thin laminations of brass as isdisclosed in Figure The positive filament plates are connected togetherby means of connecting strips ll, while a similar connection is afforded between the negative filament plates through Each of the filament plates also of sub-- stantially rectangular design as shown in Figure 5, and is further formed with a series 0t rectangular shaped openings 18.

The positiveand negative filament plates. as well as the fire clay base are coated with gypsum as at ll'so that the positive and negative filament plates will be entirely embedded in the gypsum and the openings 13 formed in the positive and negative lilament plates WIll PPOVlClG a means whereby the gypsum may be readily and easily saturatedwith the water in the boiler'and the purpose-0f using-gypsum is to attain a more positive and etlicient electrical connection between V the positive and negative plates as it is a well known, fact that gypsum is a very good conductor of electricity when wet.

It will also be observed that due to the staered arran ement of the positive. and

CC C 1 negative plates, the openings l3 in these plates will not be disposed in alignment, thereby causing the water to circulate through the openings and the gypsum in a circuitous or staggered manner.

An electric plug B of any well known construction is'mounted in a suitab'lc opening provided therefor in the closure C tor the enlarged opening D provided in one end'ot the boiler A. This plug is electrically con nected with the positive and negative plates by means of the conductor wires E and F. This electric plug is adaptedto be operatively c'onnectedtoa suitable source of electric supply-for supplying current to the heater, and whenthe heater is disposed in the boiler and 'submerged'belowthe water in the manneras clearly shown in Figurev l, the current will pass through the positive and negative plates,-the flow of the water.

through the openings13 thoroughly wetting the gypsum whereby the latter will consists of twolaminations.

in producing the maximum amount of heat so that the water in the boiler will be heated to generate steam in the steam chamber G in the top of the boiler A. By employing gypsum the water will be prevented from becoming charred and furthermore will prevent the formation of soot as would result it the gypsum was not used.

With reference now to Figures 7, 8 and 9, of the drawings wherein there is shown- [another form of electric heater, the numerals l0 and 11 designate a pair of vertically spaced positive plates, each of which consists of a series of lamination-s of brass or other suit-able metal, or may be formed of a single piece of brass of suitable thickness. As is clearly shown in the drawings, the positive plates are formed with the longi tudinally extending parallel spaced bulgedportions 12, the outwardly bulged portions 191 being disposed in opposed relation so as to form substantially circular pockets between thepositive plates.

A negative-filament plate designated genorally by the numeral l3 is arranged centrally between the SPEICBCl'POSItlVG plates 10 and 11 and this negative plate 1s also formed of brass, and in the present instance,

The flat portionslt of the positive plates 10 and 11 are formed with a series of spaced openings 15, the openings in the plates '10 register ing with the openings in the plates 11. The negative plate 13 of openings 16 for registration with the alinedopenings 15 formed in the positive plates. The openings in the negative plate are formed by punching out portions oi the laminations 1n the manner as shown at 1'3" with reference more particular toFigure ,9.

, Certain of the layers or laminations comprising the negative plate 13 are disposed outwardly on one side of the plate, while other lamination is disposed outwardly on the opposite side as indicated at 1'7 and 18, and these outwardly disposed portions cooperate with. the edge portions-oi the outis formed with a, series wardlybulged sides 12" to retain the gypsum 19 within each or the circular poclrets formed therefor by the outwardly bulged portions 12'. It is ot course to be under stood that the gypsun'i is firmly compressed so as not to interfere with the flow of the water through the openings 15 whereby the gypsum may be thoroughly subjectedito the water. V r

For .turther connecting the parts comprising the heater shown in, Figures '7 to!) inclusive, I provide the clamping strips 20,

the same 'extendingfacross the upper and lower edges of'the positive plates at each corner and having the sides of each strip secured to the respective positive plates'by any appropriate fastening means such as is shown at 21. These-strips will provide *a' uni v structure and will hold the parts 'Of'the heater above described together.

The heater above described is adapted to be disposed in a boiler below the water line and rests on a suitable support of nonconductive material. One of the positive plates is formed at one end with a termial 22, a similar terminal 23 being asso ciated with one of the outer ends of the negative plate 13, and these terminals are connected together to a suitable source of electric supply, not shown.

If desired, the heater shown in Figures 7, 8, and 9 may have its positive plates coated with the gypsum in the manner similar to that in which the positive and negative plates shown in Figures 1 to 6 are covered with the gypsum. The gypsum will furthermore tend to eliminate the invisible flare rays.

The provision of an electric heater of the above mentioned character will enable'the same to be substituted in place of a coil or oil burner, and furthermore be capable of being submerged in a body of water for more easi ly heating the water to generate steam than the ordinary type of water heaters now generally on the market.

lVhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An electric heater comprising spaced positive plates, each of said positive plates being bulged to form a series of spaced pockets, the portions of the plates between the series of pockets being formed with water passages, a negative plate disposed between the positive plates and formed with openings communicating with the openings in the positive plates, and an electric conducting agent within the'poclrets.

2. An electric heater comprising spaced positive plates, each of said positive plates being bulged to form a series of spaced peck ;s, the portions of the plates between the series of pockets being formed with water passages, a negative plate disposed between the positive plates and formed with openings communicating w th the openings in the positive plates, an electric conducting agent within the pockets, and means for securing the positive plates together.

3. An electric heater comprising spaced positive plates, each of said positive plates being bulged to form a series of spaced pockets, the portions of the plates between the series of pockets being formed with water passages, a negative plate disposed between the positive plates and formed with openings communicating with the openings inthe positive plates, an electric conducting agent within the pockets, means for securing the positive plates together, said lastmentioned means comprising strips extending across the edges of the positive plates at the corners thereof, the ends of the strips being secured to the respective positive plates.

4. An electric heater comprising a base of non-conductive material, said base being formed. with a series of channels in the upper face thereof, spaced positive plates having their lower edge portions disposed in certain of said channels, negative plates having their lower edge portions disposed in other of said channels for disposition between the positive plates, means for electrically connecting the positive plates together, means for electrically connecting the negative plates together, each of said plates being formed with water passages, and an electric conducting agent between the positive and negative plates.

An electric heater comprising a base of non-conductive material, said base being formed with a series of channels in the upper face thereof, spaced positive plates having their lower edge portions disposed in certain of said channels, negative plates having their lower edge portions disposed in other of said channels for disposition between the positive plates, means for electrically connecting the positive plates together, means for electrically connecting the negative plates together, each of said plates being formed with water passages, an electric conducting agent between the positive and negative plates, said electric conducting agent consisting of gypsum.

6. An electric heater comprising a base of non-conductive material, said base being formed with a series of longitudinally extending channels in the upper face thereof, spaced positive plates having their lower longitudinal edge portions disposed in certain of said channels, negative plates having their lower longitudinal edge portions disposed in other of said channels for disposition between the positive plates, means for electrically connecting the positive plates together, means for electrically connecting the negative plates together, each of said plates being formed with water passages, an electric conducting agent between the positive and negative plates, and coacting means between the channels and the lower edges of the respective plate for preventing longitudinal sliding movement of the plate with respect to the base.

7. An electric heater comprising a base of non-conductive material, said base being formed with a series of longitudinally extending channels in the upper face thereof,

spaced positive plates having their lower longitudinal edge portions disposed in certain of said channels, negative plates having their lower longitudinal edgeportions dis- 5 posed in other 0t said channels fordisposition between the postive plates, means for electrically connecting the positive plates together, means for electrically connecting the negative plates together, each of said plates 1}) being formed with Water passages, an electric conducting agent between the positive and negative plates, and coacting means he tween theohannels and the loiver edges of the respectiveplate for prevent ng longitudinal sliding movement ofthe plate with respect to the base, said last mentioned.

means comprising blocks arranged in the channels the loWer edges of the plates being 7 cutout to receive the blocks.

In testimony whereof I affix'my signature. 7

PAUL KUKEO, 

